by Pavlina Hollá
The 34-year-old patient comes to the clinic because of a thymoma. The malignant tumour had been discovered during an examination two months earlier. Today, on the day of the initial consultation, the patient is extremely tired, as she had her first chemotherapy yesterday. She can barely speak. A further 11 treatments are planned. The tumour has already spread to the lungs and heart and cannot be operated on. The doctors give the patient a very poor prognosis. She herself does not know this because she did not want to hear the doctors' assessment. The information comes from the patient's family.
Physical complaints
For more than a year the patient has been feeling a tingling pain in the stomach area that gets worse when she lies on her stomach. She also has pain around the navel that worsens on touch. She complains of burning stomach pain and heartburn. She often has foul-smelling diarrhoea. She trembles.
A year ago the patient developed a dry irritating cough that worsened when speaking but stopped six months ago. At that time she had an X-ray because of the cough, but the result was negative.
Family history
Diabetes mellitus; asthma; cancer.
As a child the patient was healthy and had no serious or recurring illnesses.
Hobbies
The patient enjoys embroidery, plays the violin and does a lot of sport.
Personal medical history
Patient (P): Three years ago I divorced my husband; he was 18 years older than me. We had a company together which he took over after the divorce. I still work there because my mother and my sister also work there. They would lose their jobs if I left.
At first our sex life was not very good and my husband insisted that I go to therapy. I then had a lover and realised that the problem was not with me.
After the divorce I had no money; he took everything, even the car he had given me. Many of our friends turned their backs on me. He had no friends; they were actually my friends and he took them away from me, all of them. He took my life. I felt betrayed. I did not fight, did not try to force him to do anything. I felt so worthless. At night I would cry on my friend's shoulder. I even moved in with my new boyfriend, to another town, but homesickness was terrible and I felt very lost.
I used to be very active, did a lot of sport and travelled; now I just sit at home and do ordinary things. I don't particularly like the city. I always have to think about the past when I was financially secure. I worked for 10 years, I had everything: a company, a house… I do not regret leaving my husband, but I have to start all over again, I have no security. Even my personal things are gone. I have to beg for everything, even when I need new clothes. I feel betrayed. I am angry and feel humiliated.
Case analysis
The patient's history is very interesting, because although she was recently divorced, she does not see her problem in the failure of the relationship, but in the loss of her financial security. After the divorce she had to give up her possessions and her company and start all over again. That is tantamount to a total collapse, which constitutes the central thematic complex of Arsenicum (according to Jan Scholten, loss, stage 15). In addition, the patient had to move to a new town and lost contact with her friends from the gym where she used to train. In a foreign town, surrounded by people she does not know, she feels like an outsider, a stranger. That is the theme of Iodum (emigration, loss of one's own culture).
Arsenicum iodatum is described in the classical literature as a remedy for chronic diarrhoea, chronic cough and as an anti-cancer remedy.
Prescription: Arsenicum iodatum C30, alternating with Carcinosinum 58T LM, to be taken using the plussing method according to Ramakrishnan. In addition the patient received one dose of Okoubaku C30 to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy.
Almost two weeks later the patient's boyfriend called me to say that a tumour in the colon had burst. No one had known about this tumour. A colostomy was performed. Wound healing was good and the patient was able to leave hospital after a few days. Chemotherapy was postponed by three weeks. At that time the thymoma had reduced by 50%.
Prescription: Arsenicum iodatum C200 and Carcinosinum 58T C200.
After 8 weeks: I learn from the patient's family that she has been in hospital for some time. She has gradually lost function in her hands and legs and her eyesight is severely impaired. A neurological examination found that the complaints were due to chemotherapy and were not permanent.
The patient is still receiving chemotherapy but her condition is deteriorating. She had to undergo another operation because adhesions in the bowel were found during an endoscopy. The patient is very unwell: her blood pressure is high, she has cardiac arrhythmias, palpitations and pulmonary oedema. She cannot pass urine or stool.
Eventually the patient's condition becomes so critical that the doctors inform the family she will not survive the next 3–4 days. Despite the patient's critical condition the doctors want to continue chemotherapy, but the patient refuses. She feels too ill. She is so weak that she cannot even sit up in bed.
After consultation with Vladimir Petroci we decided to treat the patient with Diospyros kaki, a good remedy for the side effects of chemotherapy. We know the remedy well, as it was repeatedly tested by us in 2011 at the Slovakian Academy of Classical Homeopathy. The remedy was introduced into homeopathy by Marijke Creveld and clinically confirmed many times. It is one of the best remedies for treating the side effects of chemo- and radiotherapy.
Prescription: Diospyros kaki C30, dissolved in water and a few drops taken hourly. The patient takes the remedy regularly throughout the night.
The next morning: The patient's blood pressure has fallen, but she now has a fever of 38°C.
Prescription: The remedy is now taken 4 times daily.
Three days later, a telephone call from the family: the patient is much better; she can eat again and pass urine without assistance. She has also had a bowel movement. She was able to stop her heart medications.
Prescription: Diospyros kaki C30, twice daily.
10 days later: The patient can get out of bed and is taking her first steps. Her appetite has returned, but breathing still causes her problems. The abdominal wound has ruptured again and a drain had to be placed.
Prescription: Diospyros kaki twice daily and Calendula C30 three times daily.
At that time a CT scan was performed with a negative result. The thymoma had disappeared.
6 weeks later: The patient was discharged two weeks ago and attends a follow-up appointment in my clinic. I have not seen her since last summer. She seems to be doing well, she has gained weight. Her hair is growing back and she can see normally again. Her hands and feet are still a little numb, and her skin also feels numb. She still has fluid in her lungs. She moves only slowly because movement causes stomach pain and nausea. She is better lying down, but is still weakened. In four weeks she must return to hospital to start radiotherapy.
Prescription: Bellis perennis C30, on three consecutive days.
1 month later: The patient is well, she no longer has abdominal pain. A few days ago she danced with friends at a party.
Prescription: The remedies Arsenicum iodatum C200 and Carcinosinum C200 are continued using the plussing method.
2 months later: The patient calls to say she is doing very well. She has an appointment in hospital to remove the artificial stoma. Tumour markers are unremarkable. We adjust the homeopathic treatment: the remedies are now taken once a week, still alternating. The patient plans a three-month stay abroad. After her return she should take the remedies only once a month.
Six months later: All examinations are normal. The patient is doing very well, she does yoga and spins wool in her free time. She now has a job she enjoys and has moved back in with her boyfriend.
The following year: The patient is in the middle of family planning and wishes to have a baby. Gynaecological examinations were normal. She looks fabulous.
3 years after the start of homeopathic treatment: The patient is visibly well. She has no physical complaints and is satisfied with her life, her boyfriend and her job.
**************************************
Photos: Shutterstock - young melancholy and sad woman portrait behind the window in the rain with rain drops on it © Yunaco
Category: Cases
Keywords: thymoma, loss of possessions, leaving one's home, chemotherapy, radiotherapy.
Remedies: Arsenicum iodatum, Diospyros kaki.
